The last year with our girl has been very rewarding. The puppy years were a test and the "teenage" puppy years were a challenge too with her constant digging of holes, escaping the yard not once but TWICE (nearly causing heart attacks for me because she loves to chase traffic).

Digging

The first time Tundra escaped the yard I was calling for her... thankfully she circled back on the OPPOSITE side of the fence only to give me a saucy look and sauntered off to play in the vacant field near our place. Thankfully there is a fence surrounding the area around our home that was around the busy roads. Jason got in the car and was lucky enough to see her pop her head out at the main road only to cut her off and get a hold of her to get her in the car. We were not pleased with her first Michael Scofield - aka Prison Break - attempt.

The second breakout she managed we were lucky because she dug a hole to our neighbors fenced yard. After an embarrassed knock on the door we retrieved our bad digger.

She did escape a third time but after the last two close calls we decided to invest in a 50' leash in order to keep better tabs on her and be able to empty the dish washer or keep an eye on dinner without worrying about our little escapist; she only needs 10 minutes. 

Our lil wolf grew bored of the new backyard surroundings and the consequence was digging. The solution? The only way, like a dog, you can discipline a wolf-hybrid is to catch them in the act. Just telling her no, a smack on the noes and a kennel "time out" a couple times and she learned not to dig. I feel like a back-stabber every time I let her out into the yard as I'm digging up weeds, catching her eyes starring at me like she's saying "wth, Mum? You're allowed to dig but I'm not?!" 

Pulling / Aggression towards other dogs / Walking Nicely

Another thing we've battled with this past year is walking. Not just walking but her constant tugging, throwing Jasons back out with her sporadic "SQUIRREL" jerk out of nowhere... we needed a good solution to walking.

We purchased a choke chain to initially train her. It was good for initial training but slacked a bit in the colder windy snow covered months and when she grew her tugs became more violent. The choke chain doesn't work on her anymore, she'll pull until she is choking herself and she will keep marching on.

We then purchased a harness to mix it up and to provide a better way to take the pressure and jerking from her neck. She wouldn't listen with the harness one bit. 

We then resorted to buying a halter for her. This worked like a charm! We did purchase a size too small so upon returning several times to multiple pet stores we found the perfect size and color for our girl.

(not Tundra below)

The control over her is amazing. It's easier to make her sit at road crossings, keep her close when there are other dogs/bikes/SQUIRRELS ... once she got used to wearing it she's been a complete angel. Be prepared to have the temper tantrums at first and off and on until your fur baby is used to wearing it but it is wonderful! The lady at the pet store said this leash works exactly like it does for horses.

Enjoy the blog update :)

For Ted

Thank you to all who have sent me words of encouragement to keep posting. Will blog soon!